To the editor:

Sporting events are a positive, rewarding way to generate local business, increase community and civic involvement and shine a regional, national, even international spotlight on a host destination. The Can-Am Rugby Tournament, hosted by the Mountaineers Rugby Football Club, will do just that celebrating the 50th year of competition with ruggers battling it out on the fields July 26-28. Saranac Lake and Lake Placid will once again play host to the annual tournament.

This year’s tournament has 120 teams in 11 divisions with teams coming from 32 states and two Canadian provinces. The tournament will have approximately 2,800 athletes competing with nearly 1,200 referees, family members and friends. The tournament also brings additional spectators averaging 3,500 people year after year. All of this means a favorable economic impact to our area hotels, short-term rentals, restaurants and businesses.

The 50th Can-Am Rugby Tournament will once again include the Can-Am Carnival bringing community members to Riverside Park during the final day of the tournament on Sunday. It’s a fun-filled day of family friendly activities, free live entertainment, food and beverages provided by Hotel Saranac and local vendors, all while watching live feeds of the games. The Can-Am board members invite everyone to join in the fun.

The sport of rugby has a long history and strong legacy in our community. Considered one of the largest and best-run rugby events in the world, the Can-Am tournament was created in 1973 by the Mountaineers Rugby Club. Many of the Can-Am board members come from local rugby families. The Can-Am Rugby Tournament director is Cameron Moody. The Can-Am board members who oversee the tournament are board President Libby Clark, Vice President Ericka Moody, Treasurer Dave Staszak, Secretary Trish Wickwire, Public Relations Director Jennifer Mott, the Quad Rugby Coordinator is Terry Tubridy, and the Mountaineers Rugby Football Club president is Katie Alexanian.

The board members would like to thank the generosity of our sponsors for the 2024 games and the communities of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid for their continued support of the annual rugby tournament. We are proud to be known as one of the best rugby events in the country. We look forward to seeing the two communities come together once again for the 50th Annual Can-Am Rugby tournament.

Jennifer Mott

PR coordinator, Can-Am Rugby

Saranac Lake